The Latah Farmers Market is in the midst of its second season as a small-scale, local market catering to county residents–vendors and visitors alike. 

Organizer Erika Sattler, originally from California, moved to Deary, Idaho, to expand her regenerative cattle-raising business, Texas Ridge. She eventually compounded this interest by founding the market during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Over the past 10 years, there has been a shift back towards growing food in urban spaces. But building a high-production farm right outside the back door of a grocery store is as urban as you can get. 

Since 1999, Pilgrim’s Market in Coeur d’Alene has been offering healthy, local and sustainable foods, supplements and lifestyle products. In 2015, they decided to take their values a step farther by establishing a market garden directly behind the store to bring fresh produce directly from farm to shopping basket.

A central question propels Patrick Shepherd-Blalock and Noah Espinoza: What does it mean to thrive?

The energetic chefs behind Pocatello’s newest food truck, Thrive: Artisanal Bowls and Wraps, focus on internationally-inspired food with Idaho tastebuds in mind.

From Austin to San Francisco, and now Idaho, kava is planting its roots as a buzzworthy alcohol alternative with flavors like lavender lemonade and peanut butter. Some people call kava calming, energizing, relaxing or even euphoric—a buzz without the alcohol. It’s made from the root of a plant in the pepper family that’s found throughout the Pacific islands and Southeast Asia.

Last March, Al Zohiry opened My Ice Cream Roll in the Lynwood Shopping Center in Twin Falls.

Ice cream wasn’t his initial intention. Al Zohiry actually planned to open a high-end European cafeteria with a rolled ice cream corner in a building in downtown Twin Falls. After ordering the machines and powder base for his ice cream, the sale of the building fell through. That’s when he found the property in the Lynwood Shopping Center and decided to focus solely on rolled ice cream.

When it comes to beer in the Magic Valley, Koto Brewing Co. is the place to be. From porters to blondes, IPAs to cream ales, Koto covers the gamut of flavor preferences. 

But for head brewer Pierre Tusow, nothing beats the 2nd Base IPA. 2nd Base is a double dry-hopped version of the Table Base IPA, one of Koto’s most popular beers. 

If you don’t like beer, the owners of Barbarian Brewing think they can change your mind.

While Barbarian specializes in sours, co-owner Bre Hovley assures that everyone can find something to like out of their diverse beer lineup, which has included 300 different varieties over the years. Enthusiasts can even sign up for a brewery membership that includes access to special barrel-aged beers released quarterly, along with a discount in their Boise and Garden City taprooms.

On a sunny evening after a week of April snow, Groundwork Brewery’s outdoor patio was packed nearly shoulder to shoulder on a Wednesday night in Lewiston. While local musician Ben Wagner performed on a small stage crafted from a shipping container, customers of all ages enjoyed drinks and food.

“Music nights are my favorite,” said Amanda Rigney, co-owner and manager of Groundwork. “The environment is fun, the music is fun and it’s a good way to make people happy. That’s pretty easy with pizza and beer.”

When it opened, Radio Brewing Company was the first brewery in the town of Kellogg—and five years later, it remains the only one. Owners Ashley and Fred Mehaffie bring years of brewing experience to Idaho’s Silver Valley, and they’re planning to use those skills to expand. . The Mehaffies recently purchased the former Kellogg City Hall, Library and Firehall building that is next to their current taphouse.

When Daniel Love and his Mother Earth Brewing Company business partners decided to expand out of California six years ago, Idaho offered everything they were looking for. 

They wanted to open shop in Boise because the city is where everything was happening, Love said. In December, their dream of a downtown Boise tasting room came to fruition.

Davis and Hailee Gove, owners of Jim Dandy Brewing in Pocatello, want to celebrate the “barley belt” of the Snake River Plains. 

The Goves originally considered opening a full restaurant, but decided to put 100% of their effort into beer production, focusing on the use of fresh local hops and barley and the development of their brewing skills.

In the heart of a once booming North Idaho mining community, customers are striking it rich once again, not with silver, lead and zinc, but with homemade pies.

Since opening Dec. 20, Mae’s Market in Smelterville is gaining a reputation as a place to buy delicious, homemade food items. One in particular is gaining popularity: the pear pie.

The old adage that word of mouth is better than advertising certainly holds true for The Pie Safe Bakery & Kitchen in Deary, a town of about 500 people east of Moscow. Owners John and Grace French have never taken out a paid ad to promote their bakery and restaurant, yet people from all over North Idaho and the Palouse find their way there.

It must be the pie that draws them in.

After spending most of January planning, preparing and rehearsing for the Valentine’s special, Lodgepole will host around 50 couples for the occasion, highlighting food made with local and regional ingredients.

Himalayan Flavor is the creation of Nepalese native Roshan Kumar, who came to Idaho to study finance and accounting at Idaho State University. After he graduated in 2016, Kumar opened the Himalayan Grocery and Smoke Shop near ISU. His next ambition was to open a restaurant.

When Nicole and Conor Hammons bought a historic building on the up-and-coming end of Coeur d’Alene’s East Sherman Avenue in 2019, it seemed like a great opportunity to start a business.

The couple faced construction woes, opening setbacks and impending closures due to the pandemic – but it turns out the challenge was worth it. The Hammons opened Wine House in July 2020, and the wine bar has become a neighborhood hot spot.